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REGIONAL POLICY & URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Research & Innovation
Sustainable growth in regional economies requires the ability to innovate and adapt to a competitive environment. To achieve this, greater efforts are needed to create ecosystems that foster innovation, research, development, and entrepreneurship. Innovation plays a crucial role in addressing Commission priorities such as the European Green Deal, creating an economy that benefits people, and ensuring Europe's readiness for the digital age.
The diffusion of research and development (R&D) results and their transformation into innovative products and services is crucial for the EU economy to compete globally. While the EU is a leader in research, innovation systems in many regions lag behind. Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) are used to improve the innovation capacity of Member States and regions by setting priorities and aligning research strengths with business needs through an Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP). This aims to enhance competitiveness and bridge the gap between high and low performing regions.
Programme 2021-2027
The current programming period of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to make Europe and its regions:
The support focuses on a more competitive and smarter Europe and a transition towards a greener, low-carbon economy through thematic concentration.
Research and innovation are supported through smart specialization strategies (S3) that leverage regional strengths. Over 185 smart specialization strategies have been supported by ERDF investments, contributing to job growth and sustainable development.
Market orientation is emphasized in the 2021-2027 period to facilitate industrial transition and address societal challenges like climate change and digitalization. Applied research, technology uptake by firms, public administrations, and citizens are supported to drive innovation in response to these challenges.
Knowledge diffusion, technology transfer, and digitalization play vital roles in promoting innovation. Digitalization is considered an enabler of innovation, and skill development for smart specialization is given specific focus. Investments are tailored to the maturity of innovation ecosystems in different regions to bridge the innovation divide in Europe.
The Interregional Innovation Investments instrument (I3) under ERDF, with a budget of €570 million, supports the commercialization and scale-up of interregional innovation projects. It promotes the development of European value chains with a cohesion focus on less developed regions. Working in synergy with other national and European programs, I3 mobilizes additional investments and enhances cooperation among partners from different Member States. It is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
- ore competitive, smarter,
- greener,
- connected,
- social,
- closer to citizens
The support focuses on a more competitive and smarter Europe and a transition towards a greener, low-carbon economy through thematic concentration.
Research and innovation are supported through smart specialization strategies (S3) that leverage regional strengths. Over 185 smart specialization strategies have been supported by ERDF investments, contributing to job growth and sustainable development.
Market orientation is emphasized in the 2021-2027 period to facilitate industrial transition and address societal challenges like climate change and digitalization. Applied research, technology uptake by firms, public administrations, and citizens are supported to drive innovation in response to these challenges.
Knowledge diffusion, technology transfer, and digitalization play vital roles in promoting innovation. Digitalization is considered an enabler of innovation, and skill development for smart specialization is given specific focus. Investments are tailored to the maturity of innovation ecosystems in different regions to bridge the innovation divide in Europe.
The Interregional Innovation Investments instrument (I3) under ERDF, with a budget of €570 million, supports the commercialization and scale-up of interregional innovation projects. It promotes the development of European value chains with a cohesion focus on less developed regions. Working in synergy with other national and European programs, I3 mobilizes additional investments and enhances cooperation among partners from different Member States. It is managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA).
